Manitoba Treaties Oral History Project (OHP): Treaty Elders’ Teachings 4 Volume Series

Treaty 2 Territory– In July 2006, the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM) and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) entered into a Protocol Agreement on the Manitoba Treaties Oral History Project (OHP). During the years 2006 to 2009 the Oral History Project Research Team held 14 focus groups, 6 community forums, and 62 follow-up interviews reaching 228 First Nation Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across all Treaty Territories in Manitoba. 

In July 2006, the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM) and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) entered into a Protocol Agreement on the Manitoba Treaties Oral History Project (OHP). During the years 2006 to 2009 the Oral History Project Research Team held 14 focus groups, 6 community forums, and 62 follow-up interviews reaching 228 First Nation Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across all Treaty Territories in Manitoba. 

From these interviews, the Council of Elders created the four-volume series known as the “Treaty Elders’ Teachings.” This series was envisioned to educate the general public and to share Elders’ perspectives of the history of the Treaties and First Nations peoples in Manitoba. 

The four-volume series includes:

VOLUME 1: Untuwe Pi Kin He – Who We Are: Treaty Elders’ Teachingswith authorship by Doris Pratt, was officially launched on February 6th, 2014

VOLUME 2: Ka’esi Wahkotumahk Aski – Our Relations with The Land: Treaty Elders Teachings with authorship by D’Arcy Linklater, Harry Bone and the Treaty and Dakota Elders of Manitoba;

VOLUME 3: Dtantu Balai Betl Nahidei – Our Relations to the Newcomers: Treaty Elders Teachings, withauthorship by Harry Bone and the Treaty and Dakota Elders of Manitoba.

VOLUME 4: Gakina Gidagwi’igoomin Anishinaabewiyang – We Are All Treaty People: Treaty Elders Teachings with authorship by James Cote, Wayne Scott and the Treaty and Dakota Elders of Manitoba.

In March 2011, a final regional forum was held in Winnipeg with the Anishinaabeg, Anishininiwak, Dakota, Denesuline and Ininiwak Elders to review their contributions and provide publication consent. Once the writing had been completed, the first volumes was reviewed and edited by an independent contractor, vetted through the AMC Council of Elders. The edited volume was then redesigned and formatted. On February 14th, 2013, the TRCM Elders’ Council, as well as representatives from AMC, met with the TRCM to review and revise the entire first volume. Final edits were made to the project during the month of March 2013, and as requested, volumes 2-4 were commissioned.  All 4 volumes can be obtained from the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba or purchased at McNally’s Bookstore. 

Volumes 1 and 2 of the 4-book Series of Treaty Elders’ Teachings

Volumes I and II have both been adopted as required textbooks in the following University courses: 

1. University of Manitoba 

  • NATV 2100 Aboriginal Spirituality 
  • NATV 3100 Aboriginal Healing Ways 

2. University of Winnipeg 

  • IS 4021 Pathways to Indigenous Wisdom 
  • GIS 7021 Pathways to Indigenous Wisdom 

The OHP is the flagship of the Research pillar to the TRCM mandate and will continue to be their focus as they continue to advocate for the inclusion into every classroom in Manitoba through Treaty Education. 

Submitted by Renée McGurry, Earth Lodge Development Helper

Earth Lodge Website: lodge.fnt2t.com

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